FOLLOWING their 19-12 win at St Joseph’s College, Brisbane boys, Ipswich Rangers defeated YM, 31-0, for the Spice Friendship Cup.

The game, watched by more than 300 people, was fast-paced with both teams trying to gain the upper hand.

The tourists got on top through their physicality at the breakdown and ability to support their runners and offload to create telling overlaps.

They went into the interval three tries to nil ahead.

YM worked tirelessly to breach the Rangers’ try line in the second half but the visitors stayed resolute and towards the end, scored two more tries.

Among the touring party was Rangers’ skipper and number 13 Natal Mafoe, who is destined for future representative honours and turned down a trial with the Queensland Red Academy to join his friends in Suffolk.

Specially commissioned medals and commemorative plates were presented to both teams by the Deputy Mayor John Le Grys with the Friendship Cup, created by ESR Services of Ipswich and sponsored by Spice Property Consultants, being presented to Rangers.

Across Monday and Tuesday, Rangers enjoyed a trip to Paris with the highlight being a poignant visit to the First World War Australian National War Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux where among other things, specially commissioned wreaths were laid on behalf of both clubs.

Both clubs had a private tour of Twickenham on Wednesday, their time together covered by an Australian Channel 9 news crew, before taking part in training with senior Quins coaches.

Paul C Rowland and Richard Taylor lead YM’s youth and junior committee and said:

“The Rangers are proud Queenslanders and outstanding ambassadors for Australia.”

There is no doubt that lifelong friendships have been forged between players, coaches, parents and clubs and plans are being made for a YM visit to Brisbane in the future.